The 65th rendition of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals is a historic occasion, made even more historic by the NHRA’s upcoming 75th anniversary. But legendary Funny Car team owner Jim Dunn and longtime partner Mooneyes will be hitting that 75th milestone first, and they’ll begin celebrating it this weekend, March 27-30. Driver for Jim Dunn Racing, Buddy Hull, now in his second Funny Car season, is looking forward to representing the team on such an important weekend.
“It’s an honor and a blessing in so many ways to be able to represent Jim Dunn Racing and Mooneyes,” said Hull. “I’m going to put those guys in the forefront to make sure that they get their showing in Pomona. Jim’s shop is just 15 minutes away from the track, and with Mooneyes there and Jim’s 50th-anniversary car on display, it’s going to be cool. Jim treats me really well, and he’s taught me a whole lot. He and I work well together – we speak the same language. To drive for him is just the absolute best.”
The Winternationals is the third race out of 20 in the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, so all the teams and drivers are still getting back into the swing of things. The first two races of the year included rain and extreme heat, so this race will be the first where teams will hopefully get to experience more normal conditions. Despite the challenges that the weather has presented, Hull feels good about the trajectory of his performance.
“I’m right at home in this nitro Funny Car,” said Hull. “We took those couple of months off this winter, and I climbed right back in the car and felt even better than I did at the end of last year. My pedal speed is better, I’m right on top of things, I’m keeping the car in the groove better than I ever have. We’re going to have a great year.”
All weekend, the Jim Dunn Racing rig will be parked near the NHRA Top Eliminator Club, where the Jim Dunn Racing 50th anniversary Funny Car will be on display. Hull will be spending a good chunk of time there, leading Q&A sessions and signing autographs. Fans can also find him on the NHRA stage, educating first-timers during New Fan Orientation with Hannah Rickards on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. PT. Even with his busy off-track schedule, Hull’s eyes are still on the prize of qualifying well and winning rounds on Sunday.
“There’s no question that it’s anyone’s game right now,” said Hull. “You look at who is running full-time, any of us pair up against each other, you never know what’s going to happen. It could go either way. I really think that it’s going to be a heck of a competitive season.”
This race will be the first of five this season where Hull will be piloting a special 75th anniversary Mooneyes livery. Jim Dunn has been racing for 75 years, which lines up with Mooneyes being in business for the same amount of time. Moon Equipment Company is a California-based manufacturer of nostalgic hot rod products such as Moon tanks, discs, and valve covers.
The team and business have been partners now for over three decades, and the classic yellow Mooneyes car is nothing short of iconic.
In addition to Mooneyes, this weekend Hull will also be representing season-long sponsors Lescure Mechanical Services, Blaze Exhaust Probes, KGC Construction, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, USD and Wiley X.
“It’s super important to me that we keep giving fans a reason to pay attention to this Mooneyes Funny Car,” said Hull. “Friday is also Jim Dunn’s 91st birthday, which means me and the rest of the team have no choice but to do him proud this weekend. We’re planning on one of his many birthday gifts to be a few round wins.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will have two qualifying runs on Friday, March 28 and then two more qualifying runs on March 29 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars will compete for a Wally on race day starting on Sunday, March 30 at 11 a.m. PT with the finals live on FS1. For tickets or more information on the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals visit nhra.com.
This story was originally published on March 28, 2025. 
